Power Station

Paty Funegra took her experience as an immigrant and a business woman and created a new model for creating economic and social change. The result, La Cocina VA, prepares women to push past language and skills barriers and gain jobs, and in some cases, become business owners. La Cocina's bi-lingual culinary training program produces certified workers and it's partnerships with employers, from Hyatt to MGM Resorts, ensures that the employment is sustainable and successful. Women emerge from the shadows of abuse to having a voice and being able to take care of their children. Learn more about La Cocina's $2.5m expansion plan and how you can get involved.

As Isaac Bowers of Equal Justice Works explains, early exposure to public interest work can change the trajectory of a law student's career. That is why EJW partners with law schools, law firms and foundations to engage and mobilize the next generation of public interest lawyers. These lawyers are making a life changing difference for homeless veterans, immigrants facing deportation and families facing foreclosure. But their ability to remain in these jobs, at less than stellar salaries, often depends on the Public Interest Debt Forgiveness Act, legislation passed with bi-partisan support in 2007. It provides a level of relief for professionals in the public interest arena. Congress has slated the Act for elimination in the 2018 Budget. Isaac is leading a powerhouse coalition of nurses, teachers, first responders and others for whom debt forgiveness is essential. This might include you too.

As Isaac Bowers of Equal Justice Works explains, early exposure to public interest work can change the trajectory of a law student's career. That is why EJW partners with law schools, law firms and foundations to mobilize the next generation of public interest lawyers. These lawyers are making a life changing difference for homeless veterans, immigrants facing deportation and families facing foreclosure. But their ability to remain in these jobs, at less than stellar salaries, often depends on the Public Interest Debt Forgiveness Act, legislation passed with bi-partisan support in 20007. It provides a level of relief for professionals in the public interest arena.This Congress, however, has slated the Act for elimination in the 2018 Budget. EJW is leading a powerhouse coalition of organizations representing nurses, teachers, first responders and others who serve in the public interest. There's a lot to learn from Isaac and EJW and there are action steps to take too. 

Gustavo Torres, executive director of CASA For All, and a national leader on immigrants' rights, is remarkably optimistic. His organization not only serves, through legal services, financial education and language classes, it deeply engages day laborers and domestic workers who are vulnerable to abuse, deportation and financial exploitation. Rather than seeing themselves as victims, they become informed members of CASA, with a vested interest in the well-being of the broader community. They attend monthly community meetings where they learn about state and federal policies relevant to them and they are invited to organize around these concerns. CASA has now taken the next step in building power and political influence by forming a 501c4 sister organization. As Gustavo says, "It's not that radical if you care about your community." His caring is galvanizing a community that has so much at stake and they are rising to the challenge

Gustavo Torres, executive director of Casa, and a national leader on immigrants' rights, is a remarkably optimistic leader. His organization not only serves, it deeply engages, day laborers and domestic workers who are vulnerable to abuse, deportation and financial exploitation. Rather than seeing themselves as victims, they become informed members of Casa, with a vested interest in the well-being of the broader community. Casa has now taken the next step in building power and political influence by formed a 501c4. As Gustavo tells, "It's not that radical if you care about your community."

What happens when a financial adviser for high-wealth individuals takes his talents to a new platform: building wealth and assets for low-income and communities of color? Joseph Leitmann-Santa Cruz tells the story of his transition to Capital Area Asset Builders, the power of the Earned Income Tax Credit campaign to create a more equitable financial future, and how CAAB staff engage DC residents in learning about savings, budgeting and planning for home ownership, college and their small business aspirations. #Advocacy!

What happens when a financial adviser for high-wealth individuals takes his talents to building wealth and assets for low-income and communities of color instead? Joseph Leitman-Santa Cruz tells the story of his transition to CAAB and the power of the EITC Campaign to engage DC residents and low-income people nationally in creating a voice and a financial future. #Advocacy!

As Dedrick tells us, the nation's racial wealth divide is a legacy of centuries of public policies enacted to favor White Americans and bar Black Americans from economic prosperity. That historical context and the impacts of the Financial Crisis of 2007-2009, have generated entire communities of low-wealth. Research by Dedrick and other scholars confirms that recognizes that income alone is not enough to bridge the economic divide. Savings, education, living in a safe neighborhood, and health benefits are assets that strengthen the economic prospects of families and communities. Dedrick takes this message, and the data that supports it, to a broad array of stakeholders, from on-the- ground community groups to media outlets and policy makers.

Check out the Racial Wealth Divide podcast: @rwdpodcast and the Bridging the Racial Wealth Divide Facebook page, www.facebook.com/racialwealthdivide/

Dedrick Assante-Muhammed, Senior Fellow, Racial Wealth Divide,
Prosperity Now

As Derick explains, the racial wealth divide is a product of centuries of
racist public policies that make economic prosperity and achieving the
American Dream exponentially harder for people of color. That historical context and the impacts of the Financial Crisis of 2007-2009, have created entire communities of low-wealth. The Racial Wealth Divide recognizes that income alone is not the answer. Financial savings, education, living in a safe neighborhood, and health benefits are assets that strengthen the economic prospects of families and communities. Dedrick takes this message, and the data that supports it, to a broad array of stakeholders, from on-the- ground community groups to media outlets and policy makers.

Check out the Racial Wealth Divide podcast:
@rwdpodcast
and the Bridging the Racial Wealth Divide Facebook
page, www.facebook.com/racialwealthdivide/

Marla has mastered community engagement and policy advocacy in Latino communities. It starts with providing families with the highest level of support for starting businesses, buying homes, challenging and winning repairs to unsound rental housing conditions. LEDC's success, she says, is a result of a committed staff, who "change people's lives." As a result, elected officials look to LEDC to inform their policymaking. And LEDC's advocacy at the national level has become a necessity, given its deep connections to the immigrant community and their peril in the current political climate. In the past, Marla explains, our advocacy was about the technical areas of small business and housing programs. Now we have different battles to fight. Find out about LEDC's upcoming event! www.ledcmetro.org www.facebook.com/ledcmetro/photos…/?type=3&theater